Rosalie Pinkham
Rosalie Pinkham was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to George and Ann Gately in 1913. She was educated in Lowell and earned an undergraduate degree in education. She was hired by Branford Public Schools as an elementary school teacher where she earned a stellar reputation as a reading teacher. Rosalie married Raymond Pinkham, who was Branford’s Superintendent of Schools and lived in Indian Neck. Subsequently, she moved on to teach in the East Haven School System as a second-grade teacher in the Union School and as a mentor to younger teachers. Her students loved her. Rosalie’s classroom was an exciting, happy and creative setting where her students flourished. A tall and stately young woman, whose red hair set her apart from others, Rosalie’s warm heart and kindness augmented her academic knowledge and superior teaching skills to create outstanding learning experiences for her students. She played the violin with great skill and frequently played her instrument for students to enhance music education activities. She became a model for her colleagues.
Rosalie was hired by Southern Connecticut State University (then New Haven State Teachers College) as a member of its teacher-training program. Eventually, she became a full professor, specializing in supervising and mentoring teachers in training. At Southern, Rosalie’s professional leadership was tapped several times for involvement in important initiatives. She was appointed to help draft Connecticut’s first comprehensive teachers’ assessment program for certifying probationary teachers, a plan that was nationally recognized. In addition, she was a leader in the development of statewide student assessment standards, which eventually was encompassed into CAPT.
Throughout her career, Rosalie Pinkham made substantive contributions to her students’ learning and to the quality of teaching in Connecticut. The teachers she mentored held her in high regard and adopted into their classrooms many of the skills and the wisdom they gained from their association with her. Rosalie retired in 1981 and spent her final years with her second husband, Rollin Bauer. She died in 1987.
Rosalie was hired by Southern Connecticut State University (then New Haven State Teachers College) as a member of its teacher-training program. Eventually, she became a full professor, specializing in supervising and mentoring teachers in training. At Southern, Rosalie’s professional leadership was tapped several times for involvement in important initiatives. She was appointed to help draft Connecticut’s first comprehensive teachers’ assessment program for certifying probationary teachers, a plan that was nationally recognized. In addition, she was a leader in the development of statewide student assessment standards, which eventually was encompassed into CAPT.
Throughout her career, Rosalie Pinkham made substantive contributions to her students’ learning and to the quality of teaching in Connecticut. The teachers she mentored held her in high regard and adopted into their classrooms many of the skills and the wisdom they gained from their association with her. Rosalie retired in 1981 and spent her final years with her second husband, Rollin Bauer. She died in 1987.